Belgium Stamp Book

 It is always a genuine pleasure to hear from fellow enthusiasts of The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. Laurence, a long-time and valued contributor to the blog, was recently inspired by my post regarding the film's deleted scenes. In response, he generously shared a few remarkable images from his own prized possession: a rare Belgian stamp book. Fascinatingly, a few illustrations capture rare moments from the production that appear to have been left entirely on the cutting room floor.

One stamp (above) shows a scene where Alan-a-Dale, Marian, and Midge the Miller are deep in Sherwood. This was not used in the finished film, for as we know, that scene was shot in the studio.

I think it is interesting in that you can see quite clearly what appears to be the Upper Pond in Burnham Beeches in the background! Wouldn't it be absolutely wonderful to see those edited scenes?

I will be showing more in my next post. 

A Picnic in Sherwood

 

Walt with Richard Todd (Robin Hood) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian) during filming The Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Welcome to the Greenwood!

 

Robin and Marian want to give a special thanks to all our regular readers. Welcome to the greenwood!

Training Friar Tuck

 

Rupert Evans (1911–1995) puts Friar Tuck — portrayed by James Hayter (1907–1985) — through his paces!

Disney's First Maid Marian

 

“I was Disney’s first Maid Marian,” Joan Rice would often proudly tell friends at her local pub in Maidenhead. Through my research into the life of this often-overlooked actress, her contribution to the Robin Hood legacy on the silver screen is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. And on this day, celebrating Maid Marian, I also want to honour the young girl from a fractured family, raised in an orphanage in Nottingham, who played in Sherwood Forest, worked as a waitress in a coffee shop, and was personally chosen by Walt Disney to bring Maid Marian to life.

The Story of Maid Marian

Joan Rice’s (1930-1997) Marian is central to Ken Annakin’s 1952 Walt Disney film, somewhat misleadingly titled The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. In truth, it is Marian’s story as much as Robin’s, for without her, half the narrative would be missing. Rice portrays Lady Marian as bright, spirited, and resourceful—the devoted daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon and the loyal childhood friend of Robin Fitzooth (Richard Todd). Although Robin is the son of her father’s head forester, and therefore beneath her in social rank, Marian gradually falls in love with him despite those barriers. Yet Rice’s Marian is far more than a conventional romantic heroine; she possesses a strong, independent streak. Defying the Queen Mother’s commands, she secretly escapes the castle disguised as a page boy in order to seek out Robin after he becomes an outlaw in Sherwood Forest. Through her courage and initiative, Marian helps reveal that Robin and his Merry Men are the true allies of King Richard, while Prince John is exposed as a traitor. This sharply independent characterisation distinguishes Joan Rice’s Marian from her later, more widely recognised Disney successor—the flirtatious vixen Marian in Wolfgang Reitherman’s 1973 animated Robin Hood.

Elspeth Gill

Elspeth Gill and Richard Todd

Elspeth Gill was the daughter of Alex Bryce (1905–1960), the Scottish screenwriter, cinematographer, and film director who worked extensively with Walt Disney on live-action productions in the UK. Bryce was the head of Disney’s “Second Unit,” directing the outdoor, woodland action and fight sequences for The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). In the summer of 2011, Neil Vessey—regular contributor and owner of the acclaimed Films of the Fifties blog—visited Elspeth, who shared fascinating stories about her father’s work. These memories can be explored through Neil’s blog and this blog. Just click on the links below.

The Sheriff's Chair??

 

To find out how many times “Robin Hood’s Chair” has been used in various historical productions, click the link titled “Robin Hood’s Chair.”

Collectable Barratt's Cards

 

In 1952, Barratt & Co. issued a series of black-and-white collectable cards packed with their popular sweet cigarettes, bringing Walt Disney Productions’ live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men to young audiences in an engaging, collectable form. Serving as a promotional tie-in, the cards allowed children to collect, trade, and relive the story through Barratt’s sweet cigarette packs. Below is part of regular contributor Laurence’s collection.